Dubai Police Respond to Over 8,200 Emergency Calls During Recent Fog

Dubai Police Manage High Volume of Emergency Calls Amidst Dense Fog

The Command and Control Centre of the General Department of Operations at Dubai Police responded to a total of 8,263 emergency calls through the 999 hotline over a two-day period marked by dense fog. The fog blanketed parts of the emirate on Monday, February 23rd, and Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, primarily between 3 a.m. and 10 a.m. on both days, leading to significantly reduced visibility across roads in the United Arab Emirates.

Official Warnings and Safety Directives Issued

In response to the hazardous conditions, Dubai Police officials urged heightened caution from all road users. Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Ali, Acting Director of the Command and Control Centre, emphasized the importance of drivers exercising extreme care during foggy and unstable weather. He stressed adherence to safety regulations and advice from relevant authorities, particularly maintaining a safe distance between vehicles.

Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, also highlighted that dense fog drastically reduces horizontal visibility, increasing the risk of multi-vehicle accidents that could result in human and material losses. He advised motorists to:

• Reduce speed.
• Avoid abrupt braking.
• Use fog lights.
• Maintain a safe following distance.
• Ensure windshield wipers are in use.
• Avoid using high-beam headlights, which can reflect off the fog and further reduce visibility.
• Refrain from using hazard lights while the vehicle is in motion, as this can confuse other drivers.

Cyclists and electric scooter riders were also encouraged to prioritize safety by wearing reflective vests, using designated lanes, maintaining low speeds, and adhering to all traffic rules and regulations.

Impact on Traffic and Travel Across the UAE

The dense fog caused considerable disruption, leading to major traffic delays across Dubai and Sharjah, with visibility dropping to near-zero in several areas. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued red and yellow alerts, warning of poor horizontal visibility. While Dubai International (DXB) largely maintained operations due to advanced low-visibility procedures, other airports in the UAE, such as Sharjah International, Ras Al Khaimah International, and Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum), experienced temporary suspensions and flight diversions. Speed limits were also reduced on various routes in Abu Dhabi due to the severe fog.